Glenmark settles patent cases with Medicis Pharma

Drug maker Glenmark has formalised deals with Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation to settle patent litigations in dermatology and has entered into a co-development arrangement on its speciality drug to treat acne.

Through the US subsidiary of the generics arm of Glenmark Generics Limited, Glenmark settled patent-related cases regarding Fluocinonide, the generic version of Medicis’ Vanos cream, and Ciclopirox Olamine, the generic version of Medicis’ Loprox gel.

Glenmark will now be able to market and distribute its generic version of Vanos cream under licence from Medicis in December 2013, or even earlier in certain circumstances. Glenmark will also have the licence to launch a generic version of Loprox gel, supplied by Medicis, with immediate effect.

The development boosted sentiment around Glenmark, which is saddled with debt of Rs 1,600 crore and has faced a string of setbacks on its molecules that had been out-licensed to other companies to develop.

The Mumbai-based company has also entered into an exclusive agreement with Medicis to co-develop and commercialise a specialty pharmaceutical product in North America for the treatment of acne vulgaris.